Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-01
INTERSTATE COMMISSION.
siOners-S25. 900 Dam
ages wanted.
ny telegraph to the Dispa,ch.l


WASHINGTON, MAY 3O.--COmpaint has
been received by the Interstate Commerce
Commission from William II. Council, a
colored man, directed against the Western
and Atlantic Railroad Company, I'm which
Doe AYERS that on account Of his color he
was ioIcibly elected from a tir>t.class ear
sitter having paid for q tirst-cla,s ticket.
lie asks that the commission award him
s95. 900 damages and such other relief Is il
mav deem proper.
An interview with Commissioner Bragg
IN relation 10 this complaint Is published
10 the EreUiIq star.
MIR. Bragg -aid IL know Council we'll.
Re il one OF the brightest and best OF our
co'ored citizens. He j, >uunch Demo-
crat. and canva>,Cs the $ ,tC at every cleo
tiou for the Democratic ticket. He i not
"a Han who desire, u push himself forward
because Of any ambition o. obtain social
EQUALITY. He u modest and una>Sumlng.
lie j. a gentleman. When ] was president
oi the Alabama Board OF Railroad Commits
,jOneT, ! required the railroad, 10 furnish
fTst class accommodations for all Pissen-
gers who paid tr.t.cl>- fare. There
was fearful kick against it, but
| stuck 20 10 and enforced the order.
They have no right 10 exact frst-class
fare from q cOloIcd man and then give
him f1urth-class accommodations. The re-
SUIT NJ by order WI, that the railroads had
90 furnish separate frstchs> ears for first
cl1s- co.ored Passengers. Why, the repre-
>,ufatiSc> Of these very railroad companies
came up here and cUdeayored TO persuade
the President not 10 appoint me uDon this
commission because had taken the stand
u favor Of what | regarGeda, iustceio the
coiorcd people. That was the only point
thcy made against me, but the President
did not seem TO sympaihize with them IN
their opposition 10 me. This complaint Is
not sgaiust any Alabama railroad. 1t Is
iuade against the Georgia Central"
Perhap, as burltsquc, or with The view
u making COunclIS complaint ridiculous,
q white citizen Of Georgia has forwarded a
charge that the Georgia Central refused TO
permit him TO ride in the "Jlm-Crow" car,
8, The car ,ct apart i0r colored passengers
h, cslled. The complaint has not yet been
received. but the commissioners have been
edNi.ed that II l. coming. In terms 1t fol-
low, the complaint Of Council, alleging that
The complainant paid iirst-class fare, ana
therefore lad right 70 ride in any car,
bUi when he sought % enter the cOlOred
car bee was prevented by the railroad em'
fINaF-. ne WHO NiilTtN fpiii iAiin tHAA
Do, wa, Disseminated against because OF his
color. that had he been negro he could
lave travelled in the "JimCTO car.
The Atlantic and North Carolina Rail-
road Company has flied an application for
the suspension of the fourth section OF the
Int,i. State law a. far as 1t effects Morehead
civ snd Kingston, y. c., ayerring that at
to'h these points water competition Will
ruin its business unless the relief sought Is
granted.
T. II. Barrett, president Of the state
IsrmeIs' Alliance OF Minnesota, trans
mits a long list u requests by the EXecu-
ave Committee Of the alliance looking TO
= vigorous enforcement Of the interstate
commerce law. especially that part relating
20 the long and short haul. The alliance
takes The ground "that such business IN
teIesis Is can be sustained only by reason
81 q suspension Of the fourth section ought
not 10 be sustained at all.
8" II IL better that the business Of The coun-
try be- left 10 the natural Law OF trade than
that few favored persons IN certain places
'hould be able % organize and carry on CO.
iO.sal enterprises because OF advantages IN
tAe use of the railways Of the country"